If you are truly serious about becoming healthy — once and for all — at some point you will realize that the best dessert is a piece of fruit. But once in awhile a prepared dessert can be nice.

I recommend that you make these without sugar. There are many viable sugar alternatives.

And for best results you should eat them "mindfully". Eat your treat slowly, savoring every bite. You will enjoy your dessert more. You will remember it later. And you will feel better.

An ice cream sundae is usually thought of as a special-occasion indulgence. But if you are on a diet, trying to lose weight that was perhaps brought about by just such extravagances, you may think these goodies are off limits forever. Not a bad idea, considering the harm they could cause.

Now for the good news. If you make a few simple substitutions in the ingredients, you can have a luscious treat like this once a week, and continue to lose fat and inches. And remember… even when you are at your best weight, these goodies can be part of your healthy eating lifestyle.

Decadent!

Personal Cheesecake

1 graham cracker, plain, honey, or cinnamon (2-1/2" square)
1 Tbs low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 Tbs sugar-free preserves, strawberry, cherry, etc
Splenda (or other sugar substitute)

Spread cream cheese on graham cracker.
Spread preserves on top of cream cheese.
Sprinkle with Splenda.
Enjoy your treat! :)

VARIATIONS:
Use soy cream cheese.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.

When you crave apple pie, give this a try!

Easier Than Pie

1 slice multigrain bread (preferably without hfcs*)
1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 Tbs finely-chopped apple
Cinnamon, to taste
Splenda (or other sugar substitute), 1 packet

In a bowl, put everything except bread. Mix well.
Spread on bread.
Eat slowly, and enjoy!

*high-fructose corn syrup

Share this luscious treat with a friend!

Banana Split

1 banana, cut in half lengthwise
2 scoops sugar-free ice cream
Chopped nuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, etc
Fruit, whole, chopped, or crushed (pineapple, cherries, etc)
Chocolate syrup, sugar-free, or other sugar-free syrup
Whipped topping, sugar-free

Put banana slices side by side, cut sides up, into a long bowl or a deep plate.
Put scoops of ice cream on top of banana slices.
Put whipped topping on top, if desired.
Drizzle syrup over ice cream, topping, and bananas.
Sprinkle on fruit and nuts.
Serve immediately.

Makes two servings.

VARIATION:
Vary toppings as desired.

Great with, what else, coffee!

Coffee Cake

1 & 1/2 cups sifted white whole wheat flour
1 cup xylitol or other bulk sugar substitute
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten, or substitutes
1 cup sour cream, dairy or soy
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup fresh blueberries or walnuts (optional)
Vegetable oil
5 Tbs sugar substitute
2 Tbs butter or margarine, at room temperature
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large mixing bowl, resift flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup of xylitol.
In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, sour cream, and vanilla.
Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and beat until smooth.
Oil a 9" square baking pan (if you use an 8'' square pan, increase the baking time by about 5 minutes).
Spread the batter in the pan.

As yummy as apple pie, but a lot easier!

Apple Crisp (sugar-free)

6 cups apple slices
1 cup xylitol or other bulk sugar substitute)
1 Tbs sugar-free maple-flavored syrup
1 Tbs white whole wheat flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup xylitol or other bulk sugar substitute
3/4 cup quick-cooking oatmeal flakes (not instant)
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan.
Toss together apples, 1 cup xylitol, and syrup,
1 Tbs flour, and cinnamon.
Spread evenly in baking pan.
Rub together butter, remaining xylitol, oatmeal, salt,
1/3 cup flour, and baking powder.
Sprinkle over the top of the apples.
Bake 30 minutes.

Serve with sugar-free ice cream or whipped topping.

VARIATION: